Tongue twitching

[suzanne L.]

is tongue twitching in the setting of having already had body wide twitching for 6 years all over without weakness a more concerning place for a "twitch"?? I have heard a couple of different theories - that the tongue is a muscle and when it twitches it is just like any other muscle. i have also heard it is more a sign of motor neuron disease.

i have been twitching all over for 6 years...I have had historically normal neuro exams and an EMG (over 14 months ago)...but am worried that now the few twitches on my tongue are a more serious concern. i do not slur, have problems swallowing, etc...

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-PW]

Twitching that is widespread over time without muscle weakness and wasting is very unlikely to be ALS. Tongue twitching does occur in ALS with tongue wasting but this is just one very uncommon cause of twitching. Other common causes include benign fasciculation syndrome, an overactive thyroid gland, pinched nerves, spinal cord problems, or even just exercise/cold in certain people.

[rocketsurgeon]

Does it interrupt your speech?  I've had tongue twitching for years off and on, and my tongue will even "lock up" for a microsecond while I try to talk, and it's really annoying.

[nosol]

Hello.
You should be seen by a Movement disorders neurologist -- ask them about myoclonus dystonia syndrome or any other that may present w/ similar symptoms.  

However, if these are not causing any major disruptions in your life and are not progressive, I would not worry about it so much.  There are a lot of benign symptoms that we all have every now and then.

Good luck
ON

[garrett105]

A related discussion, Tongue Twitching was started.